"We have no intention to lay undue weight on our mission, if mission it can be called," said Miss Eleanor.
"Is it entrusted to you by Willoughby?" said Clara.
"Dear child, that you may know it all the more earnest with us, and our personal desire to contribute to your happiness: therefore does Willoughby entrust the speaking of it to us."
Hereupon the sisters alternated in addressing Clara, and she gazed from one to the other, piecing fragments of empty signification to get the full meaning when she might.
"—And in saying your happiness, dear Clara, we have our Willoughby's in view, which is dependent on yours."
"—And we never could sanction that our own inclinations should stand in the way."
"—No. We love the old place; and if it were only our punishment for loving it too idolatrously, we should deem it ground enough for our departure."
"—Without, really, an idea of unkindness; none, not any."
"—Young wives naturally prefer to be undisputed queens of their own establishment."
"—Youth and age!"